The Democratic primary race for comptroller is over before it ever began; only today can candidates begin filing paperwork to run. They have until the end of the month. But Illinois State Senator Daniel Biss says he won't turn in his petitions at all.
Biss's decision leaves Chicago City Clerk Susanna Mendoza as the party's presumptive nominee. Mendoza's a former state representative, and has the support of House Speaker and Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan. She's set to run again Republican Leslie Munger, who governor Bruce Rauner appointed comptroller in January.
The office of comptroller hasn't typically been one that makes big headlines, but now that Illinois is without a budget, the business of writing checks for the state has taken on an elevated prominence.
